Command Sergeant Major Predrag Toplak

CSM of the Croatian Armed Forces

CSM Toplak was born 1968 in Delnice, Republic of Croatia, where he attended elementary and primary schools graduating in 1987 as an Automated Data Processing Operator.

His military education includes infantry reconnaissance basic and advanced individual training in the former Yugoslavian National Army. With the outbreak of the Homeland War in Republic of Croatia in 1991, he immediately joined the new Croatian Armed Forces. Serving as an infantry reconnaissance Soldier, he had participated in numerous missions in the area of the battlefield Lika, Croatia. In 1992, he became an instructor in the Croatian Armed Forces Reconnaissance Training Centre. He graduated from the Croatian NCO Academy in 1994 at Jastrabarsco.  In 1997, he was selected as the first NCO from the Republic of Croatia to attend the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course.

CSM Toplak is a graduate of numerous specialized courses including the Survival Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Military Mountaineering Course. He also successfully graduated NATO Senior NCO Orientation Course, NATO Assessors Training Course, and the Officers Basic Course.

During his military career, CSM Toplak served as infantry reconnaissance soldier, squad leader and infantry reconnaissance instructor. He also served in numerous senior positions including the GS CAF, Democracy Transition Assistance Program Croatian NCO development team, Commander of the first ANCOC, and the CSM of the Croatian Military Training Command.  In June 1999, CSM Toplak was selected as the first Sergeant Major of the Croatian Armed Forces.

CSM Toplak is married to Ivana and father of two sons Patrick and Dominic.